In this paper we describe a Python- and Tkinter-based visual-programming environment called ViPEr. This tool enables non-programmers to build computational and visualization networks interactively. Computational nodes can be placed onto a canvas and their input and output ports can be connected using the mouse. The connections between the nodes define a directed graph that will be used to propagate data and trigger the execution of nodes that have new input data. ViPEr is, in appearance, similar to programs such as AVS [Upson et al. 89] from Advanced Visual Simulations Inc, or OpenDX [DX 93] from IBM, but presents some fundamental differences which will be pointed out throughout this paper. Several examples of applications will be used to illustrate ViPEr’s design and current range of capabilities.
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